DRAFT COUNTY CLIMATE ACTION AND SUSTAINABILITY PLAN FOR COUNTY OPERATIONS RELEASED

Modified: December 12, 2018 1:38pm

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Date: 
12/12/18

Erie County has announced the release of its draft Climate Action and Sustainability Plan (“CASP”) for internal county operations for public comment.  The actions outlined in the plan are expected to save energy costs and reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions. The draft CASP is the product of a collaborative effort involving input from all Erie County departments and offices through the Erie County Green Team initiative. 

 

“Earlier this year my administration issued the Erie County Commits to Paris report, a comprehensive call to action outlining county governmental and accompanying community actions designed to reduce our climate impacts. The Erie County Climate Action and Sustainability Plan (“CASP”) is one product of the report and contains a detailed plan to move County government operations toward a sustainable future,” said Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz. “The plan is intended as a template for use by other municipalities seeking to embark on their own journeys to sustainability as well, and will help them to develop their own plans to reduce the carbon footprint of their municipal operations.”

 

The public will have an opportunity to learn more about the CASP at two upcoming public meetings on Monday December 17 at 12:00 PM and again at 5:00 PM at the downtown Buffalo and Erie County Public Library Meeting Room. The draft report can be viewed and public comment can also be submitted at www.erie.gov/CASPcomments .  

 

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) provided funding for this project through its Cleaner, Greener Communities initiative.  The grant funded the County’s Sustainability Coordinator, who supported the "Green Team" in its development of the county sustainability plan. Cleaner, Greener Communities is a major statewide initiative encouraging communities to incorporate sustainability goals and principles into local decision-making and then form partnerships to transform these goals into economic development projects.

 

"Erie County's development of a comprehensive Climate Action and Sustainability Plan will help create a pathway to energy savings that reduce costs, decrease greenhouse gas emissions and create jobs," said NYSERDA President and CEO John Rhodes. "Sustainable communities are essential to meeting Governor Cuomo's energy goals and to growing New York's clean energy economy."

 

The plan summarizes the results of greenhouse gas emission inventories, sets short-term and long-term energy goals, defines new operations policies and changes to existing policies, identifies implementation strategies and projects, presents a detailed timeline for implementation and identifies funding opportunities. The CASP will be submitted to the Erie County Legislature for incorporation into the Framework for Regional Growth, which serves as the County's Comprehensive Plan.

 

 The project advances Governor Cuomo’s Reforming the Energy Vision (“REV”) strategy to build an energy system that is clean, resilient and affordable for all New Yorkers, and includes the State's goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent by 2030. This project also supports New York's Clean Energy Standard, an aggressive, nation-leading mandate to obtain 50 percent of the state’s electricity from renewable energy resources by 2030. As energy use is reduced in buildings, fewer renewable energy resources will be needed to reach the 50 percent goal.

 

 

For more information:

 

On the Erie County Department of Environment and planning, visit http://www2.erie.gov/environment/  

 

About NYSERDA:

 

NYSERDA, a public benefit corporation, offers objective information and analysis, innovative programs, technical expertise, and support to help New Yorkers increase energy efficiency, save money, use renewable energy, and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. NYSERDA professionals work to protect the environment and create clean energy jobs. NYSERDA has been developing partnerships to advance innovative energy solutions in New York State since 1975. To learn more about NYSERDA's programs, visit nyserda.ny.gov or follow  on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, or Instagram.

 

About Reforming the Energy Vision:

 

Reforming the Energy Vision (REV) is Governor Andrew M. Cuomo's strategy to lead on climate change and grow New York's economy. REV is building a cleaner, more resilient and affordable energy system for all New Yorkers by stimulating investment in clean technologies like solar, wind, and energy efficiency, in part through the recent adoption of New York's Clean Energy Standard which requires that 50% of the state's electricity needs be generated from renewable energy sources by 2030. Already, REV has driven 600% growth in the statewide solar market, enabled over 105,000 low-income households to permanently cut their energy bills with energy efficiency, and created thousands of jobs in manufacturing, engineering, and other clean tech sectors. REV is ensuring New York State reduces statewide greenhouse gas emissions 40% by 2030 and achieves the internationally-recognized target of reducing emissions 80% by 2050. To learn more about REV, including the Governor's $5.3 billion investment in clean energy technology and innovation, please visit www.ny.gov/REV4NY and follow at @Rev4NY.

 

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